Kakasaheb Nandiwale, Ph.D.

• Lead KNovaAI, a chemistry-aware multimodal AI initiative that transforms complex scientific and manufacturing records into structured, decision-ready knowledge for process intelligence, digital workflow enablement, and sustainability analytics. • Architect and deploy advanced AI platforms and scientific web applications for automated analysis of scientific documents and manufacturing records, integrating multimodal LLMs, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), OCSR, OCR, Neo4j knowledge graphs, and vision-language models (VLMs). • Develop AI/ML-driven digital tools that advance laboratory automation, self-optimizing experimentation, and data-rich scientific workflows across API process development, flow chemistry, and continuous manufacturing. • Build robotic control systems, scalable data infrastructure, and machine-vision-enabled workflows to improve laboratory efficiency, experimental traceability, and closed-loop learning. • Lead cross-functional collaborations with Engineering Sciences, Process Chemistry, FAST, and Digital to deliver innovative solutions for pharmaceutical development. • Serve as a Pfizer Enterprise AI Champion, helping colleagues navigate AI tools, learning resources, communities, and support pathways while enabling more confident and responsible adoption. • Mentor colleagues and early-career talent, support recruiting, and strengthen Pfizer’s technical pipeline through university engagement and co-op/intern hiring. • Build collaborations with academia and external technology partners to accelerate innovation and expand AI and automation capabilities. • Deliver invited plenary and keynote talks on AI-driven automated platforms for self-optimization of continuous flow pharmaceutical synthesis, including: - University of Connecticut (Apr 14, 2025) - Acceleration Consortium, University of British Columbia (Aug 6, 2024) - Boston–Xtalpi Accelerated Drug Discovery Symposium (Jun 6, 2024) - University of Kansas CEBC (Nov 21, 2023)

• Contributed to PSSM Chemical Research & Development (CRD) programs within Flexible API Supply Technologies (FAST) and Continuous API Development & Manufacturing. • Developed ML-driven automated self-optimization platforms for continuous crystallization by integrating robust equipment, interactive GUIs, inline sensors, and real-time flow totalizers to improve reliability and accelerate API process development. • Advanced LabVIEW and Python automation to enable end-to-end laboratory equipment integration, dynamic experimentation, inline PAT feedback, and real-time data acquisition for process optimization. • Designed and implemented LabVIEW OPC UA drivers for real-time monitoring and control of EasyMax reactors and Agilent UPLC systems, enabling automated sampling, experiment execution, and improved data integration. • Implemented Dynamic Optimization workflows using Bayesian optimization for self-optimizing flow API synthesis, enabling faster learning cycles and significantly reducing process development timelines. • Enabled multi-objective Bayesian optimization and MINLP-based self-optimization across discrete and continuous variables to streamline API development and manufacturing workflows. • Led external collaborations with academic and industry partners across ML/LLM methods, electrochemistry, flow hydrogenation catalyst deactivation, machine vision, and lab automation. • Delivered invited talks and chaired technical sessions at AIChE, the University of Kansas, and the University of Oxford on automated platforms for API synthesis and laboratory automation. • Mentored and collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to advance lab automation strategy, data management, and control systems for the lab of the future. • Supported STEM outreach through career panels, student engagement, and lab tours, helping inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Postdoctoral Research Associate, MIT Department of Chemical Engineering Advisor: Prof. Klavs F. Jensen Research areas: Flow chemistry, photochemistry, multiphase continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing, automated process optimization, and API separation. • Designed a continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) platform to enable heterogeneous visible-light photoredox reactions in flow through a collaboration with Novartis. • Developed an AI-driven automated optimization platform for multiphase continuous manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in an Eli Lilly-sponsored project. • Established a novel continuous-flow cross-coupling process under aqueous micellar conditions using Fe/ppm Pd nanoparticles, enabling greener and more efficient synthesis. • Led safety management and hazard assessment activities, delivering structured safety training for new group members to maintain a safe and compliant research environment. • Served on the MIT Committee on Toxic Chemicals (CTC) (2020–2021), conducting process safety inspections and contributing to strengthened laboratory safety practices. • Supervised MIT Chemical Engineering course 10.27, “Carbon Capture in the Corning Advanced-Flow Laboratory Reactor,” mentoring three undergraduates whose project won “Best Project of the Year” (2019). • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to integrate advanced automation, real-time analytics, and scalable reactor design for pharmaceutical manufacturing applications. • Authored and co-authored peer-reviewed publications and presented research at international conferences, contributing to advances in continuous flow chemistry and process intensification. • Applied photochemistry, flow chemistry, and multiphase reaction engineering to address synthesis, process safety, and sustainability challenges in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Ph.D., Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Project: Development of Continuous Catalytic Processes for Lignin Depolymerization to Phenolic Monomers Advisors: Prof. Bala Subramaniam and Prof. Raghunath V. Chaudhari • Invented and patented a novel catalytic process for lignin depolymerization using metal-incorporated mesoporous silicate catalysts (U.S. Patent 9994601), enabling efficient conversion of lignin into valuable phenolic monomers. • Developed and synthesized Lewis acidic mesoporous catalysts, including Zr-KIT-5 and Zr-KIT-6, tailored for selective lignin depolymerization. • Designed and optimized batch and continuous-flow catalytic processes for valorization of industrial lignins, including Archer Daniels Midland-derived lignins, into high-value aromatic and phenolic monomers. • Established robust analytical methods for comprehensive characterization of diverse lignin feedstocks and complex product mixtures, enabling reliable identification and quantification of target compounds. • Identified distinct aromatic and phenolic monomers from complex depolymerization mixtures, demonstrating the selectivity and efficiency of the developed catalytic systems. • Developed separation and purification strategies using solvent extraction and membrane-based techniques to efficiently isolate monomeric products. • Created a downstream process for converting lignin-derived alkyl phenols into bio-based phenolic resins, supporting the development of sustainable and renewable polymer materials. • Authored technical reports, patent documentation, and peer-reviewed manuscripts, and communicated research findings through publications and scientific presentations. Core Expertise • Catalyst design and synthesis; lignin depolymerization; biomass conversion; process development and optimization; batch and continuous-flow reaction engineering • Separation and purification; analytical method development; complex product mixture characterization

Project: Scale-Up of Heterogeneous Catalyst Synthesis Processes Research Advisors: Dr. Vijay V. Bokade and Dr. Praphulla N. Joshi • Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team at the NCL Catalyst Pilot Plant, supporting Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), India, in scaling heterogeneous catalyst synthesis processes for industrial application. • Led the transition of catalyst synthesis from laboratory to pilot scale using a 50 L reactor, addressing key scale-up challenges related to heat and mass transfer, mixing efficiency, and reproducibility of catalyst properties. • Optimized synthesis parameters to tailor catalyst characteristics—including surface area, pore-size distribution, and acidity—to meet target performance requirements and end-use specifications. • Applied catalyst preparation, scale-up strategies, and advanced characterization methods to support process efficiency, product quality, and batch-to-batch consistency. • Contributed technical documentation, troubleshooting, and process optimization efforts that supported technology transfer and commercialization readiness.

Project: Development of Catalysts for Biomass Conversion to Value-Added Chemicals and Fuels Research Advisor: Dr. Vijay V. Bokade • Designed, synthesized, and characterized heterogeneous catalysts for conversion of biomass-derived feedstocks into fuels and value-added chemicals. • Developed and modified hierarchical zeolites to improve catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability. • Conducted catalytic testing in batch and flow reactor systems using oils and lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks to evaluate performance under relevant operating conditions. • Developed process concepts for production of non-toxic plasticizers, biofuels, and bio-lubricants from renewable feedstocks. • Performed kinetic modeling, mass-transfer analysis, and reaction mechanism studies to guide catalyst and process optimization. • Authored peer-reviewed manuscripts and presented research findings at conferences for technical and multidisciplinary audiences. Core Expertise • Catalyst design and synthesis; biomass conversion; hierarchical zeolites; batch and flow reactor testing; kinetic modeling; mass-transfer analysis; reaction mechanism studies; data analysis; scientific writing and presentations

Bacterial Vaccine Production & Quality Control Department

Advisor: Prof. Klavs F. Jensen Flow Chemistry, AI Driven Automated Reaction Optimization, Continuous Process Development

Advisors: Prof. Bala Subramaniam and Prof. Raghunath V. Chaudhari Heterogeneous Catalysis, Biomass Conversion, Continuous Process Development

Shivaji University, Kolhapur, India